Men's notebook: 50 years of Bond

David Nicholls takes his cue from Bond on bowties, books and champagne.

BY David Nicholls |
20 October 2012

Dressed to Kill Photo: Tom Ford

DRESSED TO KILL
The various on-screen incarnations of 007 have always been impeccably dressed, thanks to collaborations with such names as Anthony Sinclair, Turnbull & Asser, Sunspel and Brioni. When the latest film, Skyfall, opens on Friday, we will see what Tom Ford has in store for Mr Bond. It is the second time that Ford has helped to furnish Daniel Craig's wardrobe for the role. 'James Bond is a bit like our guy: classic and extremely elegant,' Ford said.
Carlyle cocktail jacket, £2,540; Regency evening trousers, £730; cocktail shirt with French cuff, £430; herringbone silk bow tie, £165.

THE NAME'S BOLLINGER
Ever since Roger Moore ordered Bollinger in 1973's Live and Let Die, we've known that Bond was keen on a particular brand of fizz. While today's 007 prefers a can of Heineken (news that rather hurts my brain), it hasn't stopped Bollinger creating a special-edition bottle, in a gun silencer gift box, to mark 50 years of Bond on film.

THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN PEN
Those left cold by recent offerings from the Bond 'franchise' can always revisit Ian Fleming's original storytelling. The website
vintageseekers.com
has acquired a small stock of first-edition and rare Bond books,
Including Thunderball (1961, £450), The Spy Who Loved Me (1962, £375), and Casino Royale, with a cover designed by Fleming himself (1953, £50,000).